Picking an affordable, basic VoIP phone for your business, home office or residence can be confusing. An entry level, SIP capable phone often represents a buyer’s first VoIP-related purchasing decision, and choosing the lowest priced phone you can find based solely on budget can be a mistake. While price can be an important factor, there are a number of areas to consider in order to make an informed buying decision.
Before you make a decision based upon price along, here are a few things to ask yourself before you pull the trigger on your first IP phone purchase:
1. How and where will I be using my new IP phone? It’s a good idea to consider how you’ll be using your IP phone throughout the course of the workday. If you are accustomed to taking calls on more than one line throughout your day you’ll want a phone that offers multiple line support so you can juggle multiple calls in an efficient manner. What’s the lighting like in your office or workspace? If your workspace is dimly lit you might consider looking at an IP phone that features a backlit LCD display so you can easily view the display under lower light conditions. Do you participate in a lot of conference alls? If conference calls are a common occurrence for you or if you have a need to work hands-free, look for an IP phone that offers a good, full-duplex speakerphone or headset jack. Bottom line, consider your work environment and usage scenarios and factor that into your decision making process.
2. What features will you need in an IP phone? When choosing an IP phone, there are a number of basic yet essential features you should look for. Make a list of your “must-have’s” as well as your “would be nice if it had’s”….and make sure your basic feature needs are met in the product you choose. A few standard features in any IP phone should include:
- At least a 2-Line LCD with CallerID display
- Call Waiting support
- Programmable Soft Keys for convenient access to applications and features
- Call transfer and Call parking support
- Contact directory support and Speed dial capability
3. Do you intend to run dedicated network cabling for your IP phone and how will you be powering your phone? If you want to use your existing data cabling to integrate your IP phone, look for a model that includes dual switched ethernet ports. An IP phone with a built in ethernet switch will make your life easier, generally speaking. A phone with (2) RJ45 ports will eliminate the need, hassle and expense of running a separate network cable for the phone. you can run your existing ethernet cable into the LAN port on the phone, and then use the included RJ45 patch cable to connect your phone to your PC or laptop. Many IP phones, even inexpensive models, also offer support for Power Over Ethernet (PoE) and will not need to be plugged into an AC wall outlet in order to receive power.
4. How much support do you require to set up your IP phone? Support availability and the quality of documentation and resources will vary from vendor to vendor. If you have some IT or telecommunications background, you can probably get by with little or no support and scant documentation. If you are relatively new to VoIP, you might consider opting for a product vendor that offers a variety of support options and good user documentation resources to aid you in setting up your new IP phone.
5. What type of warranty is offered by the IP phone manufacturer? IP phone manufacturer warranties will also vary. Make sure you read the fine print or ask your reseller about the term of the manufacturer warranty, and how to go about obtaining a warranty repair or replacement in the event of a hardware defect or failure during the term of the warranty.
IP phones can account for 60% or more of the overall cost of a VoIP phone system, and are likely the only element of the overall system that you or your employees will ever touch. Take a few minutes to assess your needs and compare multiple vendors before making a buying decision. Be sure to examine and compare features and select an IP phone vendor that understands your requirements. VoIPLink.com offers a wide selection of inexpensive IP phones under $150. Better yet, contact an IP Phone sales specialist at VoIPLink toll-free at 866-987-8647.
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